I was recently involved in a fall baseball tournament whose ending caught everyone by surprise. It had been a two day, round robin tournament with the championship being the last game. However, three teams ended the tournament with identical records. Head-to-head results did not solve the problem. Even the default tie-breaker, run differential, was not helpful because one of the teams had secured a win by a forfeit.

As a result, three coaches and a tournament director stood there minutes before game time discussing who should play in the championship. One coach wanted the tie breaker to be based on high school tournament rules which would put his team in the championship. The director wanted to introduce a formula that had not been stated before the start of the tournament but one they thought would be fair. All coaches wanted their players’ good play rewarded by playing in the championship game. As players and parents looked on, tension built and emotions began to run high.

Then a surprising suggestion came from one of the coaches. He had concluded that the two other teams were truly the best two teams and therefore they should play in the championship and his team would bow out. He spoke calmly, truthfully, and graciously. He was a man of peace that day. His players missed the chance to play in a baseball game but they and their parents got to see a rare thing in today’s world—a peacemaker in action. They missed the chance to improve their skills at hitting, catching, and throwing but they were schooled on grace and humility. How fortunate they were that day.

Conflict is often the result of people wanting their own way (James 4:1-2). The world tells us we win when we get our way. But Matthew 5:9 tells us that is not how God’s kingdom works. We win when we surrender our desires and bring peace to a situation.

Question: Are you better known for conflict or peace?

Challenge: Look for ways to bring peace into conflict this coming week.

Prayer: God, thank you for the peace Christ acquired for me. Help me therefore to bring peace to others.